Archive for February, 2011

Head to IHOP for free pancakes tomorrow from 7 – 10 a.m. My girls and I will be there, and as is our tradition, we will be wearing pajamas. They really get a kick out of wearing pajamas to IHOP. Each person will receive a free small short stack of pancakes, and in exchange, IHOP is asking you to make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Also, don’t forget to tip your waiter! My husband waited tables through college and seminary, so my family is big about tipping.

The floods today damaged all of the food at the Second Harvest food bank. I am posting the press release below. Melissa at Frugalissa Finds will be keeping us posted on how best to help Second Harvest right now. This is really sad because the food banks that Second Harvest delivers to will not be getting food for a while. Second Harvest delivers to 41 nonprofit agencies in Blount County, so this will have a local impact. Consider going through your stockpile to find food to donate to Second Harvest if you’re planning on going to Knoxville any time soon. If you’re staying put, consider donating to the Community Food Connection, as I’m sure they will be seeing increased demand.

SECOND HARVEST WAREHOUSE FLOODS

The warehouse at Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee at 922 Delaware Avenue in North Knoxville was flooded today after heavy rainfall caused the creek behind the facility to overflow.

Food stored in the warehouse has been tainted and cannot be used. The warehouse and administrative offices have been closed until further notice. Electricity had to be cut off. Five cars belonging to employees are under water.

Volunteers should not report to work, and agencies should not come to the warehouse for food. There will be no deliveries.

We anticipate the situation to last for the next few days, or perhaps until Monday.

We will keep the partner agencies and schools that depend on Second Harvest informed as more details become available.

About Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to eliminate hunger since 1982. In 2010, this organization provided food for more than 12 million meals in 18 counties in East Tennessee. With six major programs and 500 Agency/Food Partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee serves approximately 158,000 people each month.

In case you ever wondered, here’s some info on those of us who coupon (yes, that’s an acceptable verb):

“Online coupon users have bigger households, are better educated, and are wealthier than the general population” according to the Coupons, Inc. Market Research Bureau.

“More than one-half of US Internet users with household incomes of at least $100,000 reported using online coupons. By contrast, only 30% of users with incomes under $25,000 used coupons” according to eMarketer.

Here are the percentage of coupon users at different income levels according to eMarketer:

&lt;$25K : 30%

$25K – $50K : 38%

$50K – $75K : 42%

$75K – $100K : 43%

$100K – $150K : 51%

$150K and over : 53%

And here’s an interesting WSJ story that estimates that every hour spent couponing is worth $100.

The Junior League of Knoxville is having its huge annual garage sale event, called Bag-A-Bargain, this Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. If you bring a canned good for Mission of Hope you’ll get $1 of admission (which is $5). There is also a $1 off coupon in the Knoxville Schools coupon book. (You can’t combine these 2 offers, sorry!)

People line up for this event (even one year when it was snowing!) so if you want to be one of the first ones through the door, take note.

I will be there working my shift at 7:30 a.m., so stop by and say hello!

If you’re new to couponing I suggest starting with CVS because their Extra Care Bucks rebate program is easier to use. However, Walgreens has some great Register Rewards deals this week if you’re a seasoned shopper and can work with their process.

Used coupons for free Kroger brand pickles and hot dogs that were given out at the Knoxville Coupon Fair this morning.

Used $0.35/1 Vegall coupon from the Fair – I think it was at Gabrielle’s table – which doubled.

Got 6 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks and 4 Totinos Pizza Rolls for almost nothing after doing the deal Knoxville on a Dime posted here. I don’t even eat this stuff but I’m sending the fruit snacks to preschool and church, and the pizza rolls will feed our youth group.

The mushrooms were $2 and I had a $0.40/1 from a mailer. My husband loves these things. Also the Chiquita bites were on manager special for $1.99, and I love to buy these when they are the same price as normal apples. I’m lazy. It saves me the time it takes to slice apples.

If you’re stopping by this blog because I met you at the coupon fair: welcome! I had a great time getting to chat with a great group of couponers. Attendance is still being tallied, but there were way more than 500 people there. I was especially impressed with those of you who made the drive from Blount County, and it was so wonderful to meet you! I got to speak with people from Maryville, Alcoa, and even Townsend!

I had a great time working the freebie swap table, but the coupon exchange table was really the place to be. Check out these photos.

A special thanks to Gabrielle Blake and Faith UMC for getting this event together. You are beyond amazing. I’m already looking forward to next year!